A Light Preview: Match #23 vs. Orange County SC
After over a week off, Las Vegas Lights FC will face OCSC in SoCal.
Las Vegas Lights FC will look to make up ground in the USL Championship Western Conference playoff race when they face Orange County SC tonight.
Looking at the Lights (7-9-6)
Following a road draw vs. Sacramento Republic FC, the Lights will look to take all three points from another California side tonight. With only one win in their last five matches, this one is big for Las Vegas. They sit three points below the red line on the Western Conference table. Unfortunately, the Lights will not be at full strength when they face OCSC.
Strikers Irvin Parra and Preston Tabort Etaka are suspended due to yellow card accumulation. They have scored 14 of the club’s 31 goals this season. Midfielder Mobi Fehr is still out with an injury and that hurts the ability to possess the ball for the Lights. While they are down those three key players, two reinforcements are on the way. LAFC loaned Rodolfo Zelaya and Dejan Jakovic to Lights FC for an undetermined amount of time. Jakovic did very well to stabilize the Vegas defense when he played with the club earlier this season. Zelaya will bring goalscoring to a club that desperately needs it. He’s struggled to make a mark in Major League Soccer, but he’s a prolific scorer for El Salvador. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that he was suspended from his national team for his involvement in match-fixing. While that was back in 2013 and he surely learned from his mistake, there is some poetic justice that he is playing for a club that represents a gambling hub.
Who you should know: Orange County SC (6-8-9)
Michael Seaton: After a great season last year, Seaton has continued that form with another solid campaign. He has eight goals and three assists. His 39 shots are a club-high.
.@darwinljones with the nutmeg that leads to the assist on Michael Seaton's eight goal of the season.
Good start for @orangecountysc on ESPN+ -> https://t.co/ur1dSxkl4U #TACvOC #BeChampions pic.twitter.com/kJVDmDmVbC
— Nicholas Murray (@NJEMurray) August 10, 2019
Darwin Jones: Like Seaton, he has eight goals and three assists. He’s created 22 chances this season and has game-changing pace.
Walker Hume: The steady defender leads the club in clearances and sits second in aerial duels won and passes.
The Deets
Las Vegas Lights FC at Orange County SC
Tonight, 7 PM Pacific Time, Championship Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park
